Waco Leaders OK Funds For New Baylor Stadium

WACO (AP) – Waco leaders have cleared the way to help finance Baylor’s planned $250 million on-campus football stadium.

The Waco City Council voted Tuesday night to award $35 million in special tax funds for the project.

Baylor regents last month approved building the 45,000-seat stadium along the Brazos River, contingent on the city adding public funds. The vote to use tax increment financing zone funds was considered a formality.

Baylor officials, in a statement following Tuesday night’s vote, said the school is prepared to begin construction.

Baylor hopes to have the new stadium ready for the 2014 football season. The venue would replace Floyd Casey Stadium, which was built in 1950 and has maintenance issues.